Catherine

Who has heard of the SUPERB fancy-dancy bacon from Burger's Smokehouse? Oh, man oh man oh MAN is it fabulous.

I joined the 12th and was SO glad to find you! I forget who told me - probably KC.

I was about to fire a couple (longtime friends, too) who argued over $4 depreciation difference between what QB said and what I had (on $20K depreciation for lots of machinery for their business). Fortunately, they hired a new bookkeeper (old one left) who raved about a CPA she did some work for, whose office was next door to the kids' day care... Rita would probably tell us it's OK to kill those clients!

I am seeing a good two-thirds or more of my clients will be better off. BUT. I am also seeing MUCH lower withholdings from too many people who have not changed W-4's. We are warning people to check that! The cynical side of my brain says it's deliberate, so that next year people are angry about a tax CUT. 'Cuz yes, not one of them will remember $50/paycheck more in their pocket - they'll just see the balance due when they're used to getting refunds.

You (we all) just can NOT save some people from themselves...

My husband is wonderful. He has been doing laundry, picking up take-out when needed, is fine with heated soup and half a grilled cheese sandwich - or just microwave oatmeal - for dinner. As for fun stuff - this afternoon my eyes felt gritty and burning from too many hours staring at computer screens and not blinking enough (and I ought to know better, after years of working in electron microscopy and learning about "raster hypnosis" the hard way). So I took the *entire* afternoon off, and went and had a pedicure. Fell asleep sitting there, too! We start tossing everyone (including the ones we are certain we'll finish) on extension first week of April. At this point, we have people to finish but ALL the pressure is off. Some folks we'll probably email coupons to mail in with payments. If we get to it. In fact, I should go call an elderly lady whose return has been done for three weeks. I have called and called - she is never in (social butterfly that she is!) and never listens to her message machine. So if I don't catch her "live" she'll never know they're done. OTOH - neither has she called to fuss about why they are not ready.

Congratulations ERIC!

Loved the letter. Most of my clients know post 3/15 = extension. Next year my letter may say ANYONE may go on extension at MY determination, at ANY time. For those who claim to be desperate, I offer them a $150 dollar rush fee... To cover me having to bump them up in the queue and then make apologies to those bumped *down* the queue. Funny how many who NNEEEEDD that return RIGHT away - don't, when it's going to cost them extra.

There is *always* something. One thing that drives me nuts about Drake (and that I will be suggesting they change) is that after you file an extension, you have to go in and delete the extension form - or it keeps defaulting to re-filing an extension, and you get error messages. Just silly. So you have my sympathy, Tom!

I was astounded at how easy they are to write, too. Have them for filling out POA's (fed and my state), non-cash charity (goodwill), and more.

I use Drake and set up a macro to check all the boxes. Then I just adjust for the situations that are different. Whew!

This year we've been doing all our "final checks" as we finish the first pass. Careful notes on what is missing - then when those arrive, plug 'em in and ship 'em. (With attention to the few items that can wreak havoc with all the forms already "done" of course.) That said, YES it's taking longer. Lots of people seem to think the new tax law was for 2017. Lots of questions about "Why is my refund lower? -Everything's the same!" when income is up $15K and withheld tax is down $5K.

As our very own @RitaB would say: "It's OK to kill those clients." Yes, I have seen them. My desire is to dope-slap them. Instead I hike their fee every year until they go away. And snicker to think what their opinion of the next guy's fee will be.

However, if the sale was mandated by the estate, would that not be an administrative cost? It's not like heirs can hold a year of yard sales every weekend. If the instructions in the will are to liquidate any personal items the heirs do not want, then I'd say there is a good case to be made for admin expense.

My grandfather was born on December 31st, and for him it meant he had to go fight in WW1 a year early; they called up the young men born in his year in Italy. For warm winter socks, they were given double-pointed knitting needles and wool yarn.

Andy wants to get a couch... but he's a tall guy so would need a long one.

I was leaving that early because we had a pistol match tonight, and the captain (me!) can't skip....

When I left the office late this afternoon, my partner was sitting in his chair, legs up on another chair, and I shut the lights off for him. He was having a desperately-needed nap before dinner and more work.

I am torn between savoring and noshing in small bites - and hoovering the lot. So far, savoring is winning out.

Maybe next year I'll put in my letter than ANYONE may be put on extension no matter when papers come in. 'Cuz yeah 2/20's don't like extensions. But when they bring in dad's return too, and the old preparer mucked up depreciation on THREE rental properties, improvements, and appliances, and it's gonna take a 3115 and a LOT of hair dye to get through it - that one's going on extension. Oh, yeah, baby.

Many of my clients received letters. A few received corrected 1098's - some of the "corrections" were the exact same form with the amount missing, plus the letter.... go figure.

Prayers offered your your baby granddaughter, @NECPA in NEBRASKA!

Attach as pdf to return. That way - if they process the return - you KNOW they got it. If you like the belt, suspenders, duct tape, and staples approach, then mail it too.

A Happy and blessed Easter to all! And a wonderful Passover (yes, I know I'm late) to those who celebrate - next year in Jerusalem! Yes, Passover is near Easter - where else could it be! He is our Passover and our FirstFruits, to the very day. I worked yesterday and today but tomorrow I won't go near a computer (unless it's to watch a video). We will have our annual Easter "Cupcake Reception" after service; I have two dozen mini-cupcakes in my car to bring along (store-boughten, I have NO time to bake!). It's also our anniversary (15 years) but Doug has been sick with a sinus infection and I have a cold, so we'll probably delay any celebration until we're up for it.

Zombies are FAR more lively and on-the-ball than I am right about now.... yawning as I type this.